Question

“Comrades!” he cried. “You do not imagine, I hope, that we pigs are doing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege? Many of us actually dislike milk and apples. I dislike them myself. Our sole object in taking these things is to preserve our health. Milk and apples (this has been proved by Science, comrades) contain substances absolutely necessary to the well-being of a pig. We pigs are brainworkers. The whole management and organization of this farm depend on us. Day and night we are watching over your welfare. It is for YOUR sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples. Do you know what would happen if we pigs failed in our duty? Jones would come back! Yes, Jones would come back!”

–Animal Farm,

George Orwell

Which statement best explains how the details in the passage develop the central idea that people in power use deceit to control others?

The details show that Squealer really believes everything he is saying.
The details show that Squealer lets the other animals do whatever they please.
The details show how Squealer proves that he is not lying by saying that he does not even like milk and apples.
The details show how Squealer turns unpleasant truths into persuasive lies to control the animals

Answer 1

The details show how Squealer turns unpleasant truths into persuasive lies to control the animals.

He uses appeals to authority ("proved by Science"), false self‑sacrifice ("I dislike them myself"), and fear ("Jones would come back!") to twist facts and manipulate the other animals into accepting the pigs’ privileges.